Indian Jumping Ant (Harpegnathos saltator) (image)

Caption

The Indian jumping ant (Harpegnathos saltator) is a model organism for epigenetics researchers because it can undergo significant changes in physiology without any related changes to its DNA. Instead, the physiological changes depend on which genes are turned on or off -- which in turn is determined by social and environmental factors.

Credit

Clint Penick

Usage Restrictions

Disclaimer: AAAS and EurekAlert! are not responsible for the accuracy of news releases posted to EurekAlert! by contributing institutions or for the use of any information through the EurekAlert system.